Nearly 8,000 children killed in road accidents in almost 7 years: RSF

Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has informed that 7,963 children have been killed in road accidents in the country in almost seven years from 2020 to September 2026. Among the killed children the highest 2,958 were motorcycle drivers and passengers.

This information has been given in a report published by Road Safety Foundation on Wednesday (October 21). The report has been prepared on the basis of nine national dailies, 17 online news portals, electronic media and the organisation’s own information.

According to the information in the report, among the children killed in road accidents 2,812 died after being hit by vehicles while crossing the road and walking as pedestrians. Besides, 2,193 children lost their lives as passengers of various vehicles.

In the age-based statistics it has been seen that among the killed children 3,547 were aged 13 to 17 years. Besides, 2,884 children aged 6 to 12 years and 1,532 children aged zero to 5 years have died.

The report said that among the killed children the highest 2,513 became victims of accidents on the way to and from educational institutions. Besides, 962 children died in accidents while playing on the roads near their residences.

According to the type of roads, the highest 2,713 children died on rural roads. 2,082 children lost their lives on regional roads, 1,974 on highways and 1,194 on city roads.

In the analysis of the time of accidents it has been seen that the highest 33.07 per cent of children died in afternoon accidents. Besides, 27.22 per cent children lost their lives in morning accidents and 22.76 per cent in noon accidents.

According to Road Safety Foundation, the road and transport system not being child-friendly, lack of awareness and training in safe road use, driving of vehicles by unskilled and underage drivers and lack of proper treatment of injured children are among the main reasons for child deaths.

The organisation is saying that the number of child casualties is higher on these roads because the rural roads are close to residences and the rules and regulations of vehicle movement are not followed.

The organisation has demanded implementation of the Road Transport Act, 2018, taking action against unskilled drivers and making the roads safe for children to prevent child deaths in road accidents.